inspect same. Drove to Orepuki via Riverton spending night at Hotel. Road very bad to Te Tua journey filled all of next morning.
In the meantime Grandma had seen an advertisement in newspaper.- Teacher required for school at Papatotara - across river from Te Tua.
She applied and as she had Arts degree had immediate acceptance.
All packed up, family departed once more for Orepuki, which was then the end of the railway. Grandfather dorve then to the end of Halfmile Road. From Orepuki bush cleared but road skirted with flax, red mafdi small broadleaves, etc. etc. The bush had been cleared in patches from about the road leading off to the Waiau mouth to approx. the Te Tua school. From there to where Tuatapere now stands was virgin bush - trees (meeting overhead). A few settlers had cleared small patches but these were not seen from the road. At Drummonds Ferry (now Tuatapere) The family had the thrill of crossing the swift flowing Waiau River by punt. The river at that point on the East bank was deep and very swift flowing. The nose of the punt was turned at an angle into the current and carried rapidly across the river. In dry periods the ferry man carried a long pole as on the far side there was then insufficient current and it was necessary to put the ferry into its landing stage. The track to the ferry ran through solid beech bush. At the point where the Post Office now stands a bachelor known locally as the Pilgrim from his habit of walking long distances (to Orepuki for ) at night , kept stocks of such commodities as flour, ship's biscuits, candles, oatmeal and etc, which he retailed to the settlers. A licensed accommodation house kept by Mr. Wm West stood on the site of the present dairy factory.
Arriving at the turn off at the Half Mile Road Grandma and the three boys, Harry aged 10, Allan 9 and Bruce 5 yrs of age left the comparative comfort of the light spring cart and prepared to walk bare foot through the mud the 3 miles to Papatotara.
Most of the way, the ditch at the side of the road proved to be the better thoroughfare and along it the boys gamely plodded. Grandfather unyoked the horse and leaving the cart at the side of the road loaded saddle bags containing the more necessary of the family's requirements on to the animal. The rest of the luggage was delivered eventually by the bullock wagons which ran an almost daily service.
Snow showers and sleet did not add to the comfort to the plodding travellers dripping - trees - gloomy bush. Backs bent. We cold stumbling with fatigue. All were glad to see even their new tent home.

Grandma first teacher at Papatotara to live apart from Erskines. Maiden bush - no sawmill. Bullock wagons. Schoolboys cooking birds.

1. The Collinson family is recorded as COLISON
2. The 3 year old daughter - recorded as CANOY is probably Fanny
3. Also recorded in the house are
Robert THORPE - Father - Widower - 77 - Farmer
Fredick W THORPE - Grandson - Unmarried - 18 - Joiner